Daily Lectionary Readings

Proper 10 Week of the Sunday closest to July 13


Sunday  AM Ps. 148, 149, 150 PM Ps.114, 115 Joshua 1:1-18 Acts 21:3-15 Mark 1:21-27

Monday AM 25 PM 9, 15 Joshua 2:1-14 Rom. 11:1-12 Matt. 25:1-13

Tuesday AM 26, 28 PM 36, 39 Joshua 2:15-24 Rom. 11:13-24 Matt. 25:14-30

Wednesday AM 38  PM 119:25-48 Joshua 3:1-13 Rom. 11:25-36 Matt. 25:31-46

Thursday AM 37:1-18  PM 37:19-42 Joshua 3:14-4:7 Rom. 12:1-8 Matt. 26:1-16

Friday AM 31  PM 35 Joshua 4:19-5:1,10-15 Rom. 12:9-21 Matt. 26:17-25

Saturday  AM 30, 32 PM 42, 43 Joshua 6:1-14 Rom. 13:1-7 Matt. 26:26-35

It's 2013

I cannot believe that it is 2013.  As I look at this blog it has been awhile since I really did anything with it.  Well, hopefully that will change this year. 

There is alot going on and I want to use the blog to show the progress.

The major thing for this year is to get into shape.  I am so tired of being overweight and not able to do the things I want to do.  So come and follow me along as I take off about 150 pounds of fat.

Prayer of the Week 6-17-12



Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you:

Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness

we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your

grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please

you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,

for ever and ever.  Amen.

Prayer of the Week-For Epiphany

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son

to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by

faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to

face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Prayer of the Week

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation,

that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a

mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Goal Setting For 2011

Hope this is helpful as you are goal setting for 2011.

Advent- The Coming of the Kingdom

Last Sunday was a very special day on the Church calendar. It was the first Sunday of the Season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year. Happy New Year!

I believe that Advent is probably my favorite season of the church year. It is a blended season - a mixture of hope, repentance, and joy. In this season we look back at Jesus' first advent when He came as the babe in the manger. But we also look ahead to His second coming and the establishing of His kingdom in its fullness. Meanwhile, Christ comes to all who are willing to receive Him.

Over the next weeks I will post thoughts about the season of Advent. So, check back from time to time. But there is one truth that we must begin to embrace if we are to have the impact on the world around us.

That truth is that the kingdom of God has already come and it is coming. Now I know that sounds like double talk but it is not. Let me explain. When Jesus came in the first advent his kingdom came to earth. His rule and reign is already established. So as we go about doing good and sharing the Gospel in real ways, His kingdom is expanded.

There is another part of this in that when Christ comes in His second coming it will be the consummation of all things and His kingdom will be made real in its fullness.

One problem that many Christ-followers have is they are just waiting for the second coming. They are ready to escape the world. But that was not the message that Jesus taught. He wants us right in the middle of the world sharing the love of the Father with all those around. So stop just looking for an escape and begin to expand the kingdom of God through your service to others this Advent Season.

Prayer of the Week

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the HolySpirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and

follow us, that we may continually be given to good works;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Prayer of the Week

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to

hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire

or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy,

forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid,

and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy

to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus

Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Difference In People-Sermon -Joe Butler

Differences In People-Podcast from whoisjobutler.com

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Focus Isn't Hocus Pocus-Podcast from whoisjoebutler.com

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The Believer's Authority Part 2

The Believer's Authority Part 1

Prayer of the Week

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Week

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessed Virgin Mary

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.”

As you read these words, I know that you may have some very strong emotions about them. But before you disregard this article, please take a moment and read it in its entirety.

Many Christians are scared to talk about the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many churches do not even speak of her. Think for a moment, when was the last time you heard a sermon on Mary? Many will preach about the Apostles or some other biblical figure but not Mary.

Many of you have barriers that arise when this subject is spoken of. For many the problem is not with Mary herself but with anything that appears to be Roman Catholic. After the time of the Protestant Reformation, anything that appeared to be Roman Catholic was done away with in the Protestant Church. If the Roman Church does it, it can’t be right, was the mindset of the day. But let’s look at a quote from Mark Frank, the 17^th century clergyman, “because they (some) make little less of her than a goddess, Protestants make her not even a good woman; because they bless her too much Protestants will not allow her to be blessed at all. Therefore, there needs to be a balance between the two.”

Many protestants have no problem placing their favorite preacher on a pedestal. This evangelist or preacher is the greatest saint of God that has ever walked on the Earth. But the Mother of Jesus, they give her no place at all.

Mary is an example to every Christ-follower. Mary lived as we do here on Earth. She went through the same trials that we go through. She knew the same pains and joys that we do. Therefore, we must examine how Mary is an example to us.

First, Mary is an example of humility. Mary was a poor humble peasant girl who answered the call of God. She was in awe that God would choose her to bear the Christ child. She did not brag about being the mother of the Messiah. She did not try to tell God how the Babe should be born. She simply said be it unto me as you have said.

What would happen if we had this kind of humility in our lives? Just think about it.

Second, Mary is an example in belief. At the Annunciation of Jesus’ birth, the words troubled her. She could not understand how she was going to give birth to Messiah. She had never been with a man. But even with a troubled spirit, Mary believed that God would perform a miracle and do what He said He would do. This is the same attitude we need. Are there things that God has spoken to you about? Then keep believing and don’t give up.

Third, Mary is an example in the depth of her spiritual life. Unlike many today, she did not grab the newest religious thought or pop doctrine. Instead, Mary pondered and mediated on what God was doing and saying (Luke 2:9 and 2:51). What would happen to Christ–followers if we copied what Mary did? We would be able to know what God is saying.

Fourth, Mary is an example in her life in the Spirit. Mary was one of the first Charisma-tics. Mary prophesied the hymn that is called the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). She was part of the gathering in the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2 states, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues or language they had not learned. Mary received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and her prayer language. If Mary received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, why not ask God for this gift? If it was what the Mother of Jesus did why not us?

Fifth, Mary is an example in her suffering for the Gospel. Christ-followers are never promised a life free from suffering. In fact, the Scripture states that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them. Mary knew suffering. She knew the pain that lay ahead for her and continued anyway. She knew the child that she would give birth to would die for the sins of his people. She knew the pain of accusations of promiscuity and illegitimacy. She knew the pain of watching her son be killed. But even in the midst of suffering, she never gave up. Mary knew what the destiny of her life and her son’s would be. Let us take up this example and be like Mary - never give up when life grows hard and we don’t fully understand it.

Sixth, Mary is an example in her steadfastness. Mary never left Jesus. When most of Jesus’ disciples and followers fled during the events of Good Friday, Mary was there. Even at the cross, the place of ultimate torture, she was a faithful witness. This is the attitude that is needed in every Christ-follower. We must learn that no matter what the cost, we will stand fast.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is a true example to the Church today in the 21^st century. She is not to be worshipped as one would worship Jesus. But she is to be highly honored and extolled. Therefore, let us continue to receive strength and encouragement from her life.